KREWE OF CENTAUR GRANDE BAL XVI

When: 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Schedule: 7:30 p.m., tableau starts.Site: Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo St.Theme: "A Royal Affair."Dress: black tie. Black or white formal attire requested.Music: 8-Track.To eat: 6 to 7:30 p.m., buffet dinner, with a $20-a-person ticket to be purchased when you order the ball ticket.Admission: $75 to order or available at the door.To learn more: Call (318) 455-1876 or use the link on this page.

SPRINGHILL MAIN STREET MARDI GRAS PARADE

When: 1 p.m. Feb. 3.Route: begins at The Mall, South Main Street, north to the City Park and returns down First Street to The Mall.Theme: "Take 5 ... And All That Jazz," featuring Krewe of Artemis-Springhill.Special note: Anyone may enter.Admission: free.To enter: Call (318) 539-5699 before Feb. 1.

KREWE OF CENTAUR PARADE

When: 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10.Route: starts at Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway downtown to Shreveport-Barksdale Highway to East Kings Highway and ends at Preston Avenue in Shreveport.Theme: "Centaur Comics."To learn more: Use the link on this page.

KREWE OF BARKUS & MEOUX MARDI PAW PARADE

When: 3 p.m. Feb. 11. Festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m.Site: Riverview Park on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway in downtown Shreveport.Theme: Disco Dogs & Kool Kats.Entry fee: $10 per animal in advance by using the link on this page or at the parade.Special notes: Grand marshal will be Dr. Diane Sino. Father Kenneth Paul will lead the blessing of the animals.Music: Big Daw Productions.

KREWE OF AREPO GRAND BALL

When: 7:30 to 11 p.m. Feb. 15.Site: Sam's Town Casino & Hotel Magnolia Ballroom, 315 Clyde Fant Parkway.Theme: "Arepo's Grand Carousel."Benefits: Shreveport Opera.To eat: New Orleans-style buffet, open bar.Entertainment: A tableau featuring royalty in full costumes from all Ark-La-Tex krewes; "Mardi-Gras-Round" of songs from Broadway, including "Musical Carousel" presented by Shreveport Opera Express; crowning of the 2007 Arepo king and queen during the tableau; live music during dinner and dancing after the tableau.Sponsors: Sam's Town and Shreveport Opera.Admission: $100, individual, or $1,000, reserved tables of 10.To learn more: Call the Shreveport Opera at (318) 227-9503.

KREWE OF DIONYSOS PARADE DAY

When: 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, Natchitoches.Route: South Drive to Keyser Avenue, left to Washington Street, right on Jefferson to Front Street to Washington Street. Left on Second Street to Church Street. Left on Church Street to Church Street Bridge, where the parade ends.Admission: free.

KREWE OF HIGHLAND PARADE

KREWE OF AESCLEPIUS PARADE

When: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20.Site: Louisiana Boardwalk, Bossier City.Parade note: especially recognized as a parade for families with small children. Members of the court ride in floats and convertibles.Special note: A Mardi Gras festival after party will be held for all krewes and the public immediately after the parade.Admission: Free for the parade and no fee planned at this time for the after party.To enter the parade or learn more: Call Jim Thomas at (318) 222-8054.

KREWE OF AESCLEPIUS BRIDGE-CLOSING CEREMONY AND TOAST TO THE END OF MARDI GRAS

When: 11:30 p.m. to midnight Feb. 20.Site: middle of Texas Street bridge.Special note: One float from the Krewe of Aesclepius will be in the center of the bridge and one float each from the krewes of Centaur and Gemini will be on each side of it. Area captains will take turns toasting. The final toasts will be given by the Aesclepius king, queen and captain. At midnight, there will be a brief Lenten ash service, with ashes dispensed to all by local Catholic and Protestant clergy.Admission: free.

Special note: One float from Aesclepius will be in center of the bridge and a float from Centaur and Gemini will be on each side of it. Area captains take turns toasting and the final toasts will be given by the Aesclepius king, queen and captain. At midnight, there will be a brief Lenten ash service, with ashes dispensed to all by a local Catholic and Protestant clergy.

KREWE OF HARAMBEE KIDS GRAND BAL I

When: to be announced.Site: to be announced.Theme: "The Wiz."Dress: black tie.